Q1. What is changing in Ontario's community based developmental services system?

As of July 1, 2011, nine (9) new regional Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) organizations will become the primary contact for information about developmental services and supports for adults with developmental disabilities.

These new regional DSO organizations will be responsible for supporting adults with developmental disabilities through a new application process.

Each regional DSO organization will be responsible for:

• providing information about available services and supports;
• confirming eligibility for those applying for adult developmental services and supports for the first time;
• completing the new Application Package to assess each individual’s service and support needs; and
• linking eligible and prioritized people to available services and supports.

Q2. When are these changes happening?

The new regional DSO organizations will open on July 4, 2011. This is an important part of Ontario's plan to transform the community-based developmental services system, and will improve fairness and consistency across the province.

Q3. How will these changes affect adults who are currently receiving services and supports?

Adults with developmental disabilities who are currently receiving services and supports, or are waiting for services and supports:

• will not experience any significant changes on July 1, 2011, when the new application process begins;
• will not need to reapply, or reconfirm their eligibility;
• will continue to be eligible for adult developmental services and supports;
• if an adult with a developmental disability is currently waiting for services and supports, they will continue to
• be considered through the community prioritization process for any appropriate services and supports that may become available; and
• will not need to do anything to maintain their current status with respect to receiving or waiting for services and supports.

Q4. How will these changes affect adults who are applying for developmental services and support for the first time?

Adults applying for the first time will have to apply through the new regional DSO organizations, which includes having their eligibility confirmed according to the new eligibility criteria and completing the new province wide Application Package, to assess an individual's service and support needs.

For Adults with Developmental Disabilities Currently Receiving Services and Supports

Q5. If I have already applied, and I am currently receiving adult developmental services and supports, do I have to reapply, or reconfirm my eligibility with the DSO organization in my region?

No, you will maintain your current status and be "grandparented" into the new system.

Q6. If I am currently receiving adult developmental services and supports, do I need to contact my regional DSO organization when they open in July 2011, to provide them any information, or to arrange for the completion of an assessment of my service and support needs with the Application Package?

No, basic contact information for all adults who are currently receiving adult developmental services and supports will be CONFIDENTIALLY and SECURELY provided to the regional DSO organization from service agencies throughout each region.

Q7. If I am receiving adult developmental services and supports, how often will I complete an Application Package to reassess my level of service and support needs?

All individuals who are receiving adult developmental services and supports will complete an Application Package to reassess their service and support needs every five (5) years, or earlier if their support needs or personal circumstances change significantly.

Q8. If I am receiving adult developmental services and supports, who do I contact if I have questions about the services and supports that I am receiving?

If a person has questions about the services and supports that they are receiving, they should contact the service agency that is providing the services and supports. For the Toronto Region contact 1-855-DS-ADULT/1-855-372-3858.

For Adults with Developmental Disabilities Currently Waiting for Services and Supports

Q9. If I have already applied for adult developmental services and supports, and I am currently waiting for services and supports to become available, do I have to reapply, or reconfirm my eligibility with the DSO organization in my region?

No, adults who have already applied, and who are currently waiting for adult developmental services and supports to become available will NOT have to reapply, or reconfirm their eligibility with the DSO organization in their region.

Q10. If I am currently waiting for adult developmental services and supports to become available, will my priority status on the waiting list change when the DSO organizations open in July 2011?

No, the priority status of adults with developmental disabilities who are currently waiting for services and supports will not change as a result of the DSO organizations opening in July 2011.

Q11. If I am currently waiting for adult developmental services and supports, do I need to contact my regional DSO organization when they open in July 2011, to provide any information, or to arrange for the completion of an assessment of my service and support needs with the Application Package?

No, basic contact information for all adults with developmental disabilities who have already applied and have had their eligibility confirmed and who are currently waiting for adult developmental services and supports will be CONFIDENTIALLY and SECURELY provided to the regional DSO organizations, from service agencies through each region.

Q12. If I am currently waiting for adult developmental services and supports, will I continue to be considered for appropriate services and supports that may become available, even if I have not yet completed an Application Package to have my level of service and support needs assessed?

Yes, adults who are currently waiting for services and supports but who have not yet completed an Application Package will continue to be considered for any appropriate adult developmental services and supports that may become available.

For Adults with Developmental Disabilities Applying for Services and Supports for the First Time

Q13. Who do I contact to find out information about services and supports that may be helpful for me?

The organizations that have been identified as the 9 regional DSO organizations are:

• Central East Region – York Support Services Network
• Central West Region – Sunbeam Residential
• Development Centre
• Eastern Region – Service Coordination des services
• Hamilton-Niagara Region – Contact Hamilton for Children’s and Developmental Services
• North East Region – Hands  TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca
• Northern Region – Lutheran Community Care Centre of Thunder bay
• South East Region – Extend-A-Family
• South West Region – Community Services Coordination Network
• Toronto Region – Surrey Place Centre

If you live in the Toronto Region please contact 1-855-DS-ADULT/1-855-372-3858.